China is a civilisation state: Martin Jacques, Journalist-writer

It provides the most remarkable example , bar none , in the reduction of poverty . This is a colossal achievement and has been acknowledge by economists like Joseph Stieglitz , the World Bank and others . So China does have these elements of soft power .

If China can rule the world, what's holding India back from doing the same?

The key is economic growth and modernisation of the economy . China has been at this for over 30 years , at an average of 10 % growth a year , while in India, [the opening up and growth of the economy ] has been a much more recent event . If India could sustain about 7-8 % of relatively balanced and sustainable growth over a period of 20 years , then we'll be having the same discussion about India.

My great hope is India will be a major global player . But it can learn something from China about this . The Chinese have been very pragmatic about (their economic growth ); they don't boast or blow their own trumpet about it, nor do they dream . They just get on with it. India should too .